Fluid separator

ABSTRACT

A fluid separator having a tubular member slideably mounted in an entrance opening of an outer container by means of a first stopper. A porous filter is mounted on the inner end of said tubular member while a second stopper is provided on the other end thereof. The outer container is substantially evacuated, said second stopper being adapted to permit the passage of a hollow needle therethrough for the insertion of the fluid to be separated into said tubular member. Said filter means separates the fluid from heavier materials therein upon the withdrawal of said tubular member from said outer container.

ilnite States Patent Spinosa et al.

[54] FLUID SEPARATOR [72] Inventors: Dom Spinosa, Wantagh; John Varga,Bayville, both of NY [73] Assignee: EWI Research & DevelopmentCorporation, Syosset, NY.

[22] Filed: March 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 128,415

[52] US. Cl. ..2l0/406, 128/2 F, 128/220,

210/460 [51] Int. Cl. ..B0ld 35/00 [58] Field of Search ..l28/2l4, 220;210/406, 416, 210/436, 449, 451, 460-463; 251/7 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,225,984 12/1940 Erekson ..210/406 x 2,817,33712/1957 Herzig ..-.1 28/214 R 3,478,889 11/1969 Fessler ..2l0/406 1 Aug.29, 1972 5/1970 Shapiro ..l28/220X 1/1971 Cohen ..128/220 PrimaryExaminer-Reuben Friedman Assistant Examiner-R. W. Burks AttorneyA1exFriedman et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A fluid separator having a tubular member slideablymounted in an entrance opening of an outer container by means of a firststopper. A porous filter is mounted on the inner end of said tubularmember while a second stopper is provided on the other end thereof.,

' The outer container is substantially evacuated, said second stopperbeing adapted to permit the passage of a hollow needle therethrough forthe insertion of the fluid to be separated into said tubular member.Said filter means separates the fluid from heavier materials thereinupon the withdrawal of said tubular member from said outer container.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] M1829 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2INVENTORS. DOM SPINOSA JOHN VARGA mm Q m BY 66% M,

ATTORNEYS PATENTED M1829 m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 W J E M \N HA I N H 0 DJBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally tofiltering devices where it is desired to perform the rapid and efiicientseparation of heavier materials from fluid under sanitary conditions.One example of such a circumstance is in the separation of the heavierconstituents of blood from the serum which now requires the use ofcentrifugetype separators. While such filtering arrangements areeffective, they have proved expensive and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION member are substantially evacuated, said secondstopper member being adapted to permit the'penetration thereof for theinsertion of the fluid to be separated into said tubular member whileleaving said vacuum substantially undisturbed.

Fluid separation is accomplished by slideably displacing said tubularmember out of said inner container, the filtrate passing through saidfilter means into said outer container. The tubular member may be formedwith a vent aperture through the portion of the wall thereof projectinginto said outer container.

The first stopper means is formed with a central opening therethroughfor receiving said tubular member, and may be formed with a cap portioncoupled to the balance of said first stopper means by a flexibleportion, said cap portion being adapted to seal said central opening insaid first stopper means upon the withdrawal of said tubular member fromsaid outer container.

A porous support member may be provided for supporting at least aportion of said filter means. An adapter including a flow control valvemeans may be provided for penetrating said second stopper means.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a fluidseparator which is simple to manufacture and utilize.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid separatorparticularly adapted for separating the heavier constituents of bloodfrom the serum.

A further object of the invention is to provide an evacuated fluidseparator wherein the fluid may be readily inserted within saidseparator by means of a conventional hypodermic needle or a specialadapter while a portion of said fluid separator defines a retaining andstoring container for the filtrate after separation.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification anddrawings.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCON OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of theinvention, reference is had to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a sectional view of the fluid separator according to theinvention;

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the step-step process for utilizing the fluidseparator of FIG. I;

FIGS. 5-8 are fragmentary sectional views showing alternateconstructions of the filter. means of the fluid separator according tothe invention; and

FIGS. 9 and it) are sectioned views of a valved adapter for applying thefluid to the fluid separator according to the invention, in the closedand open position respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, theserum separator 10 de picted incorporates an outer container 12 formedsubstantially in the shape of a test tube and having an entrance opening14-. A first stopper 16, formed with an annular slot 18 on one surfacethereof receives the rim 20 of outer container 12 in said slot insealing engagement. First stopper 16 is formed with a central opening 22therethrough for snugly receiving tubular member 24 which projects intoinner container 12. First stopper 16 serves to seal that portionofentrance opening 14 of outer container 12 extending between theperiphery of tubular member 24 and rim 20 of said outer container. Thetubular member is longitudinally displaceable in said first stopperwithout affecting the seal between said stopper and said tubular member.

A second stopper 26 is mounted in the upper end of tubular member 24.Said second stopper is formed with a central region 28 of reducedthickness defined by cutout regions 3d and 32. The thinned region 28 isheld in compression within the rim 34 of tubular member 24. The upperportion of said second stopper is of increased diameter to define step36 against which nm 34 abuts to position said stopper on said rim. Asubstantially cone shaped filter member is mounted across the opening inthe inner end of said tubular member and is firmly held in place againstrim 40 of said tubular member inner end by an elastic rim member 42.Said ring member is dimensioned to pressingly engage the periphery 44 offilter medium 38 against rim 40 of said tubular member. Said ring memberis formed with a central opening 46 therethrough to permit communicationof liquid from said tubular member to said filter means which projectsoutwardly from said tubular member to the base of said outer container.

Mounted on first stopper 16 by means of a flexible connector tab 47 is acap member 48. Said cap member is dimensioned to seal the opening 22 infirst stopper 16 when tubular member 24 is removed. Cap member 48 isprovided with an annular projecting rim 5t) dimensioned to mate with acorresponding annual reentrant recess 52 formed on the internalperiphery of said first stopper for retaining said cap member inposition. A tongue 54 projects from said cap member for providingahandle for manipulation of said cap member. One or more vent openings56 are provided in the wall of tubular member 24 immediately below thepoint of engagement with first stopper 16, as shown in FIG. 1.

The outer container 12 and tubular member 24 are preferably formed fromglass or plastic adapted to provide structural rigidity during themanipulation of the serum separator according to the invention. Thefirst and second stoppers 16 and 26 respectively are formed of aresilient rubber or plastic. The filter medium is formed of sheetmaterial such as Nylon, Teflon, paper or the like having a plurality ofapertures therethrough dimensioned to pass a filtrate therethrough..

The operation of the serum separator according to the invention isillustrated in connection with FIGS. 2 4. Outer container 12 and innercontainer 24 are substantially evacuated with the tubular memberprojected into outer container 1 2 so that aperture 56 falls within saidouter container. Such evacuation can be achieved by passing a hollowneedle connected to a vacuum pump through the thin portion 28 of secondstopper 26. Due 'to the compressive mounting of second stopper 26 asdescribed above, the thin portion 26 is self sealing so that the vacuumwithin outer container 12 'remains undisturbed upon the removal of saidhollow needle.

As more particularly shown in FIG. 2, the fluid 6 to be separated isinserted within the evacuated tubular member 24 by means, for example,of a conventional hypodermic needle 62 provided with an insertingplunger 64 and a hollow needle 66. As depicted in FIG. 2, said hollowneedle pierces thin portion 28 of second stopper 26 to extend intotubular member 24, thereby permitting the insertion of the fluid 60 intosaid tubular member. Said fluid is retained within said tubular memberby filter medium 38. As described above, the self sealingcharacteristics of second stopper 26 permits the withdrawal ofhypodermic 62 without'substantially disturbing the vacuum within outercontainer 12 and tubular member 24.

As depicted within FIG. 3, tubular member 24 is then longitudinallydisplaced in first stopper 16 in the direction of arrow 68. Whenaperture 56 in said tubular member passes out of second stopper 16, apressure of about one atmosphere is applied to the top surface of fluid60 so as to force the filtrate through the apertures in filter media 38.The filtrate 70 accumulates in outer container 12, while the portion 72of said fluid not capable of passing through filter medium 38 isretained within tubular member 56. The quantity and nature of thematerial passing through filter medium 38 is determined by thedimensions of the apertures in said porous filter medium.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, the tubular member is completely withdrawnfrom second stopper 16 and the opening 22 in said stopper is sealed bycap portion 48. Thus, the outer container 12 serves as a storagecontainer for said filtrate. A valved adapter may be used in place ofhypodermic needle 62 as more particularly described below in connectionwith FIGS. 9 and 10.

The foregoing arrangement is particularly adapted for the separation ofheavier components from the serum of blood, with said serum beingeffectively free of blood cells if a filter having apertures of 4 to 6microns is utilized. By selecting the filter medium, minute particlescan be effectively filtered from a fluid by the fluid separatoraccording to the invention.

FIGS. 5 8 show a variety of alternate constructions for the mounting ofthe filter medium to the tubular member according to the inventiorrAporous support member 74 is bonded, welded, heat sealed, or otherwisesuitably fastened to the inner surface of rim 76 of tubular member 78. Afilter medium 80 is mounted within support member 74 so as to besupported thereby along substantially its entire surface, the porosityof said support member permitting the passage of the filtrate passed bysaid filter medium therethrough. A support member such as support member74 may be required where the filter medium is not of sufi'rcientstrength, for example, due to its thin gage, to support the fluid duringthe separation process.

The embodiments of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are similarly provided with supportmembers. While the support member of FIG. 5 is tubular in shape with thebottom end thereof closed by an integral portion of said support member,the embodiment of FIG. 6 is formed with a first tubular portion 82secured to tubular member 84 and a second cap portion 86 mounted toclose the bottom end of said tubular portion. Both the cap portion andtubular portion of said supporting member are formed of said porousmaterial and support a filter medium 88.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and .8, tubular member 90 is formed withan inwardly projecting flange 92 on the inner end thereof. Specificallywith regard to the embodiment of FIG. 7, a substantially conical supportmember 94 is mounted to said flange so. that the apex of said supportmember faces into tubular member 90. A substantially conical filtermedium 96 is supported on said support member. In the embodiment of FIG.'8, support member 98 is mounted on annular flange 92 and supports adisc-shaped filter medium 100.

Both the filter medium and support member according to the invention arepreferably formed of inert materials, the porosity and mesh sizesthereof being select in accordance with the material to be filtered fromthe fluid.

The tubular member and filter medium may also be formed as a singlemember by forming a test tube shaped member of a filter material anddepositing a plastic coating on all but the transverse base thereof toprovide rigidity and to fill the filter apertures in this region. Ineach of the above described embodiments, filtration ends when the fluidlevel falls below the uppermost portion of the filter material.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an adapter is shown mounted onembodiment of the fluid separator according to the invention 10'fi'agmentarily shown therein. Fluid separator 10 is substantiallyidentical to the embodiments discussed above, except that tubular member24 is formed with a radical flange 112 at the upper end thereof.Further, second stopper 26' is formed with a portion thereof projectinglongitudinally out of tubular member 24'. Adapter .1 I0 is formed with amounting member 114. Said mounting member is formed at its base with anaperture dimensioned to receive the projecting portion of second stopper26' in sealing engagement, with the end surface 116 of said supportportion in engagement with flange 1 12 of tubular member 24'. Theperipheral surface of the lower portion of support portion 114 is formedwith an annular concave groove which permits the gripping of adapter 1for the insertion and removal thereof from serum separator 10'. Mountingmember 114 is formed with a central bore 120 therethrough providingcommunication to the top surface 122 of second stopper 26'. The upperportion 124 of support member 114 is substantially tubular in shape andis formed with at least one pair of longitudinally extending facingslots 126 in the wall thereof.

Received within bore 120 of support member 114 is a needle carryingmember 128. Said needle carrying member consists of a pair of endportions 130 and 132 joined by a pair of flexible ribs 134. End portion130 of needle carrying member 128 is firmly retained within thecylindrical portion 124 of mounting number 114. Said end portion isformed with a bore 136 therethrough for sealingly receiving a hollowpointed needle 138. Similarly, end portion 132 of needle carrier 128 isfirmly received in the bottom portion of mounting member 114 and issimilarly provided with a bore 140 therethrough for receiving a secondpointed hollow needle 142. A flexible plastic tubing 143 is mounted onthe inner end of each of said hollow needles 138 and 142 and extendstherebetween within needle carrier member 128.

Ribs 134 of said needle carrier member are provided with outwardprojections 144 dimensioned to be received in and extend beyond slots126 in mounting member cylindrical portion 124, as best shown in FIG.

10. One of said ribs is provided with a single inner projection 146while the other of said ribs is provided with a pair of spaced innerprojections 148 aligned relative to single projection 146 so that whenribs 134 are displaced centrally toward the longitudinal axis of theadapter, single projection 146 mates with and coacts with the pair ofinward projections 148 to engage and seal flexible tube 143, as mostparticularly shown in FIG. 9.

Adapter 110 is provided with a sealing ring 150 received about mountingmember cylindrical portion 124 for longitudinal displacement therealong.The peripheral surface of sealing ring 150 is provided with a concaveannular groove 152 to permit gripping of said ring. When said ring islowered in the direction of arrow 154 so that the ring is inregistration with projections 144 of ribs 134, said ring engages saidprojection to displace said ribs inwardly so that plastic tubing 143 isclosed. When, as shown in FIG. 10, sealing ring 150 is displaced in thedirection of arrow 154, the ring is carried clear of projections 144 andthe ribs 134 are released, thereby opening tubing 143.

Adapter 110 permits the control of the fluid into separator 10. Further,it permits the taking of a plurality of samples since needle 138 may beinserted in a container of the fluid or in a portion of the body, whileneedle 142 is sequentially inserted in a plurality of fluid separators10', sealing ring 150 being displaced to cut off the passage of fluidthrough the adapter while the fluid separators according to theinvention are changed.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also understood that the following claims are in tended to coverall of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid separator, comprising an outer container having at least oneentrance opening; a tubular member having openings in both endsdimensioned to pass through said outer container entrance opening andpositioned in said opening with an inner end thereof projecting intosaid outer container; first stopper means mounted in said outercontainer entrance opening for slideably receiving said tubular memberand for sealing the portion of said entrance opening outside of saidtubular member; porous filter means mounted across the opening anddefining the inner end of said tubular means; and second stopper meanssealing the opening defining the other end of said tubular member, saidfluid separator being adapted to permit the substantial evacuation ofsaid outer container and tubular member, said second stopper means beingadapted to permit the insertion therethrough into said tubular member ofthe fluid to be separated without substantially affecting said vacuum,whereby the filtrate portion of said fluid passes through said filtermedium into said outer container when said tubular member islongitudinally displaced outwardly of said outer container.

2. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular memberis formed with a vent hole therethrough on a portion thereofintermediate the normal fluid level and the point of engagement betweensaid first stopper means and said tubular member.

3. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said first stoppermeans is provided with a central opening through which said tubularmember extends, said first stopper means engaging the periphery of saidtubular member in sealing relation while permitting the iongitudinaldisplacement thereof, said first stopper member being formed with aflexible arm portion projecting therefrom and a cap portion mounted tothe end of said arm portion and dimensioned for selectively sealinglyengaging the central opening of said first stopper means for sealingsaid outer container after withdrawal of said tubular member.

4. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said second stoppermeans is provided with a thinned region as viewed axially relative tosaid tubular member, said second stopper means being dimensioned so thata compressive force is applied to said thinned region by said tubularmember when said second stopper means is inserted therein, whereby saidthinned region of said second stopper means may be pierced by a hollowneedle for insertion of fluid into said tubular body withoutsubstantially affecting said vacuum.

5. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said porous filtermedium is inert.

6. a fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including a ring-shapedresilient mounting member for securing said filter medium to saidtubular member, said filter member being pressingly engaged to saidtubular member by said ring-shaped retaining member.

7. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including a porous supportmember extending across the opening defining said inner end of saidtubular member, said filter medium being supported on the inner surfaceof said porous support member, whereby the filtrate passing through saidfilter medium passes through said porous support member into said outercontainer.

8. A fluid separator as recited in claim 7, wherein said filter mediumand porous support member are both inert.

9. A fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including adapter meanshaving first and second hollow needles projecting therefrom, at leastone of said hollow needles being adapted for insertion through saidsecond stopper means; a fluid passage between said first and secondhollow needles; and valve means for selectively opening and closing saidfluid passage to control the passage of fluid therethrough.

10. A fluid separator as recited in claim 9, wherein said second stoppermeans is provided with a portion projecting longitudinally beyond saidtubular member, said adapter means being provided with a mountingportion for cooperatively engaging said projecting portion of saidsecond stopper means for the releasable securing of said adapter meansto said second stopper means.

11. A fluid separator as recited in claim 9, wherein said fluid passageincludes a length of flexible tubing, said valve means including a pairof displaceable valve members positioned on opposed sides of saidflexible tubing for displacement relative to said tubing in a first openposition and a second position at which said flexible tubing is engagedbetween said valve members to close said fluid passage, and means forselectively displacing said valve means between said first and secondposition.

12. A fluid separator as recited in claim 11, wherein said adapter meansincludes a support portion having apertures therethrough; said valvemembers being dimensioned to project through said apertures at saidfirst position and being normally biased in said first position, saiddisplacing means including a member displaceable into and out ofregistration with said apertures and dimensioned to displace said valvemembers into said second position when in registration with saidapertures.

1. A fluid separator, comprising an outer container having at least oneentrance opening; a tubular member having openings in both endsdimensioned to pass through said outer container entrance opening andpositioned in said opening with an inner end thereof projecting intosaid outer container; first stopper means mounted in said outercontainer entrance opening for slideably receiving said tubular memberand for sealing the portion of said entrance opening outside of saidtubular member; porous filter means mounted across the opening anddefining the inner end of said tubular means; and second stopper meanssealing the opening defining the other end of said tubular member, saidfluid separator being adapted to permit the substantial evacuation ofsaid outer container and tubular member, said second stopper means beingadapted to permit the insertion therethrough into said tubular member ofthe fluid to be separated without substantially affecting said vacuum,whereby the filtrate portion of said fluid passes through said filtermedium into said outer container when said tubular member islongitudinally displaced outwardly of said outer container.
 2. A fluidseparator as recited in claim 1, wherein said tubular member is formedwith a vent hole therethrough on a portion thereof intermediate thenormal fluid level and the point of engagement between said firststopper means and said tubular member.
 3. A fluid separator as recitedin claim 1, wherein said first stopper means is provided with a centralopening through which said tubular member extends, said first stoppermeans engaging the periphery of said tubular member in sealing relationwhile permitting the longitudinal displacement thereof, said firststopper member being formed with a flexible arm portion projectingtherefrom and a cap portion mounted to the end of said arm portion anddimensioneD for selectively sealingly engaging the central opening ofsaid first stopper means for sealing said outer container afterwithdrawal of said tubular member.
 4. A fluid separator as recited inclaim 1, wherein said second stopper means is provided with a thinnedregion as viewed axially relative to said tubular member, said secondstopper means being dimensioned so that a compressive force is appliedto said thinned region by said tubular member when said second stoppermeans is inserted therein, whereby said thinned region of said secondstopper means may be pierced by a hollow needle for insertion of fluidinto said tubular body without substantially affecting said vacuum.
 5. Afluid separator as recited in claim 1, wherein said porous filter mediumis inert.
 6. a fluid separator as recited in claim 1, including aring-shaped resilient mounting member for securing said filter medium tosaid tubular member, said filter member being pressingly engaged to saidtubular member by said ring-shaped retaining member.
 7. A fluidseparator as recited in claim 1, including a porous support memberextending across the opening defining said inner end of said tubularmember, said filter medium being supported on the inner surface of saidporous support member, whereby the filtrate passing through said filtermedium passes through said porous support member into said outercontainer.
 8. A fluid separator as recited in claim 7, wherein saidfilter medium and porous support member are both inert.
 9. A fluidseparator as recited in claim 1, including adapter means having firstand second hollow needles projecting therefrom, at least one of saidhollow needles being adapted for insertion through said second stoppermeans; a fluid passage between said first and second hollow needles; andvalve means for selectively opening and closing said fluid passage tocontrol the passage of fluid therethrough.
 10. A fluid separator asrecited in claim 9, wherein said second stopper means is provided with aportion projecting longitudinally beyond said tubular member, saidadapter means being provided with a mounting portion for cooperativelyengaging said projecting portion of said second stopper means for thereleasable securing of said adapter means to said second stopper means.11. A fluid separator as recited in claim 9, wherein said fluid passageincludes a length of flexible tubing, said valve means including a pairof displaceable valve members positioned on opposed sides of saidflexible tubing for displacement relative to said tubing in a first openposition and a second position at which said flexible tubing is engagedbetween said valve members to close said fluid passage, and means forselectively displacing said valve means between said first and secondposition.
 12. A fluid separator as recited in claim 11, wherein saidadapter means includes a support portion having apertures therethrough;said valve members being dimensioned to project through said aperturesat said first position and being normally biased in said first position,said displacing means including a member displaceable into and out ofregistration with said apertures and dimensioned to displace said valvemembers into said second position when in registration with saidapertures.